In dueling press releases, both Rendez-Vous Montréal 2006 and the Federation of Gay Games laid claim to support from European gay and lesbian sports groups. In addition, the Chicago Gay Games has scored a coup with the enlistment of tennis legend Billie Jean King to help promote the games.
     After the failure of negotiations between the Montréal group and the FGG over financial control, the FGG designated Chicago as the new site for the 2006 Gay Games. Montréal declared that it would continue with planning for a gay and lesbian sports and cultural gathering in 2006.
     According to Rendez-Vous Montréal 2006, on March 7, the annual assembly of the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF), with a membership of more than 100 sports teams and 10,000 athletes in Europe, voted in favor of withdrawing from the Federation of Gay Games (FGG). Equipe Montréal also withdrew from the FGG in November 2003.
     In addition, Rendez-Vous Montréal 2006 inked reciprocal information and promotion deals with EGLSF for various sports events between now and 2006.
     "With the European network and support," said Louise Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Rendez-vous Montréal 2006, "our ability to reach gay and lesbian athletes across Europe has now increased dramatically. Each year, over one hundred sporting events are held under the EGLSF banner, which means that Rendez-Vous Montréal 2006 will enjoy the benefits of an unparalleled and targeted promotional campaign to a pool of over 10,000 people. We now believe that European participation in the Montréal games will meet our original predictions."
     Rendez-Vous Montréal 2006 is scheduled for July 29-August 5, 2006.
But according to the FGG's press release, the EGLSF has not abandoned its support for the Chicago Gay Games, even though the FGG "regrets" the European federation's departure.
     "Montréal 2006 omits a key fact from its press release however. At its March 6-7 Amsterdam Meeting the entire EGLSF assembly stressed repeatedly its strong support for the Gay Games, and specifically Gay Games VII in Chicago," said the Gay Games statement. A liaison committee has been formed, and Chicago Games, Inc., says it will have the same access to information and promotion exchanges with the EGLSF as Montréal 2006.
     The Chicago Gay Games VII is scheduled for July 15-22, 2006.